Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting highlighted concerns from southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, regarding fiscal devolution, tax autonomy, and equitable treatment from the Centre.
Key points
- Southern States seek fair and equitable treatment, not preferential treatment, from the Centre.
- Emphasis on a fiscal devolution framework that recognizes both need and performance for Finance Commission recommendations.
- States lament limited flexible revenue levers post-GST, primarily confined to petroleum and alcohol.
- Call to reclaim flexibility in tax rate determination through the GST Council.
- Kerala urged to annul the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, citing concerns over offshore mining and auction of mineral blocks.
Background & context
Zonal Councils are statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, to promote interstate cooperation and coordinated action. The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Southern Zonal Council meeting was held at Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Federalism, Centre-State Relations, Fiscal Federalism; GS Paper III: Economy.
Why in news?
The Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed four Bills to reform higher education, including easing norms for private universities and restructuring the regulatory commission.
Key points
- Four Bills passed to reform higher education, promote skill-based education, and streamline faculty recruitment.
- A.P. Higher Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, restructures the commission to focus on fee regulation and prevent commercialization.
- The A.P. Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, simplifies regulations and reduces the minimum land requirement for private universities in specific regions.
- The objective is to reduce administrative confusion and promote investment in higher education.
Background & context
The Andhra Pradesh government has been focusing on educational reforms to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education and attract private investment.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The minimum land requirement for private universities in CRDA region and Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada municipal corporations has been reduced from 50 acres to 10 acres.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Governance, Social Justice, Education.
Why in news?
Kerala reiterated its willingness to supply all water from a proposed new dam at Mullaperiyar to Tamil Nadu, at the Southern Zonal Council meeting.
Key points
- Kerala agreed to supply all water from the proposed new dam to Tamil Nadu.
- Kerala will bear the cost of the new dam.
- Tamil Nadu will be responsible for the design, construction, and location of the new dam.
- This offers a potential solution to the long-standing water dispute over the aging Mullaperiyar dam.
Background & context
The Mullaperiyar dam, located in Kerala but serving Tamil Nadu's water needs, is a source of dispute due to its age and structural concerns.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The proposed new dam will replace the existing 130-year-old Mullaperiyar structure.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Centre-State Relations, Inter-State Water Disputes; GS Paper III: Disaster Management.